Lead Electrical Engineer

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 164,000 - 197,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Learning programs

Rideshare program

Childcare support

Flexible schedule

Parental leave

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory seeks an experienced Electrical Engineer IV to lead the design and development of complex test systems for spacecraft avionics and power subsystems. You will deliver CCAs, FPGA IP, and chassis/rack assemblies while coordinating with specialists and program leadership.

Responsibilities include defining requirements, reviewing analyses, and producing comprehensive test procedures and documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) with 9+ years of related work experience, or Master's degree with 7+ years or PhD with 5+ years.
• Strong background in design/analysis of avionics and/or power analog and digital circuits.
• Familiar with industry practices and standards across applications.
• Ability to prioritize to deliver quality within budget.
• Experience with configuration management tools (Git, SVN, Jira).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Derive and document engineering requirements, specifications, and interface drawings for test assemblies.
• Define requirements and guide design/implementation of FPGAs for test systems.
• Review design analyses to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Coordinate specialist engineers to develop integrated designs.
• Lead team communications on technical issues and resolutions.
• Plan CCA, chassis, and rack assembly implementations.
• Oversee delivery to users and stakeholders.
• Develop test and verification plans from requirements.
• Produce documentation including procedures, results, and reports.
• Support development of contract documentation and oversight for small contracts.

Skills

Analytical skills

Team leadership

Collaboration

Systems engineering

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's or PhD in related discipline

Tools

GIT

SVN

JIRA

Job description

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come.

Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

Responsibilities

JPL’s Avionics, Power & Instrument Electronics Section builds flight electronics for JPL’s interplanetary and Earth orbiting spacecraft. We provide leadership and unique world-class expertise in defining system architectures and electronics platforms for avionics, motor control, power, and instruments, leveraging simulation, support equipment and PLM solution infrastructure, critical partnerships and technology development.

You will be an Electrical Engineer IV and will be a member of the Avionics, Power & Instrument Electronics Section. You will report administratively to the Group Supervisor for the Ground Support Hardware Group. You will lead the design and development of highly complex and critical electronics test systems for spacecraft avionics and power subsystem testing. Test system deliverables include circuit card assemblies (CCAs), FPGA IP, chassis assemblies, rack assemblies, as well as test procedures and scripts.

Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Derive and document engineering requirements, specifications, and interface definition drawings for test assemblies


• Define requirements and guide design and implementation of FPGAs for electronic test systems


• Review design analyses to ensure accuracy and completeness


• Coordinate specialist engineers to develop integrated design


• Lead team communications regarding technical issues and problem resolution


• Plan CCA, chassis assembly, and rack assembly implementations


• Oversee implementation and delivery to users and stakeholders


• Develop detailed test and verification plans based on requirements


• Produce comprehensive documentation including test procedures, results, training guides, and issue reports


• Participate in development of contract technical documentation


• Provide contract insight and oversight for small contracts

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) with a minimum of 9 years of related work experience, or Master's degree in similar discipline with a minimum of 7 years of related work experience or PhD degree in similar discipline with a minimum of 5 years of related work experience.

Strong background in design and/or analysis of avionics and/or power analog and digital circuits.

Complete knowledge of industry and/or academic practices and standards across a range of applications.

Flexible and accountable to meet commitments and produce quality products within budget through effective prioritization.

Experience with configuration management tools (e.g., GIT, SVN, JIRA).

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Ability to collaborate effectively with all levels of institutional and operations personnel.

Proven ability as a team leader to deliver project results and manage performance standards, budgets, and schedules.

Exceptional interpersonal skills with ability to work effectively with internal and external program leadership and delegate tasks to team members.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with radiation‑tolerant flight processors (e.g., RAD750) and associated compute element architectures


• Experience with FPGA‑based embedded avionics or firmware‑hardware co‑design


• Familiarity with JPL or NASA flight hardware design flow, EEE parts control, and packaging/cabling requirements


• Prior experience supporting flight hardware I&T, EMs/PFMs, and delivery to spacecraft-level Assembly, Test, and Launch Operations (ATLO)


• Experience with power electronics interfaces (solar array, RTG, battery‑based power buses)


• Experience with FPGA‑based systems, or power electronics.


• Prior experience as a technical lead or subject‑matter expert.


• Strong problem‑solving, analytical, and communication skills.


• Ability to manage multiple priorities and interface with diverse engineering teams.


• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, mission‑focused environment.

Benefits and Perks

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more.

Our focus is on work‑life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together.

For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

Salary Range

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$163,904 - $197,288

Equal Opportunity Statement

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

EEO is the Law.

EEO is the Law Supplement Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.

Company Overview

Formed in 1936, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech.) JPL joined NASA as an FFRDC when the agency was founded in 1958.

JPL helped open the Space Age by developing America’s first Earth-orbiting science satellite, creating the first successful interplanetary spacecraft, and sending robotic missions to the solar system.

Today JPL continues its world‑leading innovation, implementing programs in planetary exploration, Earth science, space‑based astronomy and technology development while applying its capabilities to technical and scientific problems of national significance.

Above all, we are explorers. At JPL we promote collaboration, innovation, integrity, and excellence in distinct academic areas.

We turn ideas for science investigation into the reality of groundbreaking space missions, partnering with our strategic business teams to guide JPL into the future.

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